Renewable energy curtailment hits record levels

Grid constraints are driving unprecedented curtailment of renewable energy, latest data has revealed.

Just over 10 TWh of clean power was curtailed in Great Britain in 2025, a 22% increase in the amount switched off compared to 2024, the report from Montel EnAppSys found.

The total was enough to meet the demand of every domestic household in London in 2025 although the £363m cost of curtailment payments represented a 10% decrease year-on-year.

The report also found that only 61% of the wind power which could have been generated in Northern Scotland made it to the grid.

Report author Fintan Devenney said: "While the government’s goal of meeting 95pc of annual demand with electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030 is laudable, ensuring the efficient siting and production of power to meet demand will become increasingly important.

"This is brought into sharper focus by the expected increase in electricity demand from new data centres wishing to connect to the grid as soon as possible, as well as the continued electrification of heating, transport and other sectors.”